Radio Veritas denies VoT link report

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 June 1999, 14:54 GMT]Officials of Radio Veritas of the Philippines categorically denied on Monday that their service had any arrangement with the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio, as was reported by TamilNet on May 23, 1999. TamilNet accepted the report was incorrect and published a correction today.

In a letter sent to TamilNet, Radio Veritas said the report was "baseless, misleading and irresponsible."

Radio Veritas "categorically denies any such development" the letter said.

TamilNet officials said they had apologised to Radio Veritas for the error.

The TamilNet report of Veritas co-ordinating with the VoT was quoted in sections of the Sri Lankan press.

Father Gaspar Raj Jegath, coordinator of the radio's Tamil service, contacted by TamilNet, said "This [report] has created unnecessary misconception among various quarters and anxiety among Catholic leaders."

"However, it is also to be noted that none of the media which focused on this news had the journalistic courtesy to contact us," he added.

"Our radio has always rejected cultural violence, and condemned all acts of terror," he said in reaction to press reports. "We have consistently taken an anti-war, anti violence and pro-peace approach"

"We have always sympathised with and prayed for all victims in the conflict in Sri Lanka, be they Sinhalese or Tamils" he said further.

"Furthermore, we have made investments in educating people for peace," he said.

"We strive to help people face the daily problems and stress arising out of living in a conflict zone" he said.

The radio receives nearly 4000 letters from listeners each month, said Veritas officials.